Logging onto Windows is a process that typically involves turning on the laptop and typing in your password. Logging onto Windows the very first time is slightly different, but no more difficult.[more…]

Windows 7 normally keeps good track of the current date and time, but often with a new computer, you have to change the Windows time zone to match your location so it can maintain time accurately.[more…]

Windows 7 allows you to create different user accounts so each person who uses the computer can work with his or her personal Windows environment. After multiple user accounts are created, each user of[more…]

A Windows 7 power plan can help you manage the battery life of your laptop. Windows 7 power plans have preset timings for actions such as dimming your screen or putting your computer to sleep. Managing[more…]

Windows 7 power plans can be customized to control precisely when the display dims or turns off, or the computer goes to sleep after a period of inactivity. By customizing a Windows 7 power plan, you can[more…]

When you are through with a Windows program, close it to save computer resources. Closing a Windows program removes its window from the screen and the taskbar, and removes the program from memory. Before[more…]

The Windows 7 desktop appears when you log on to your laptop. On the desktop you'll find the Windows Start menu, taskbar, and shortcuts to favorite programs and files. You can use various elements of the[more…]

Use the Windows 7 Start menu on your laptop to access your laptop's settings, files, folders, and software. You can customize the Windows Start menu if you like, to fit the way you like to work on your[more…]

Shortcuts are icons you put on the Windows 7 desktop for quick access to programs or files you use frequently. On a laptop, shortcuts are especially useful for users who may have to get to what they need[more…]

Using the Shake, Snap, and Peek features in Windows 7, you can quickly arrange windows on your laptop. You can minimize all windows, align them side-by-side, maximize a window, or take a quick peek at[more…]

Windows 7 has built-in themes that you can apply to change the appearance of your windows, desktop background, screen saver, and even mouse cursors and system sounds. Windows themes are coordinated settings[more…]

If you use a Windows 7 program often, you can have it launch automatically every time you start your computer. Having Windows automatically start your favorite programs for you whenever you startup your[more…]

Online programs are complete applications that you can access with your laptop, from anywhere you have Internet access. The benefits of online programs are obvious — you save hard drive space on your laptop[more…]

In Windows, you can create shortcuts to your favorite files and folders to make them easier to open. Shortcuts to files or folders are placed on the Windows desktop where you can use them to open the file[more…]

The Favorites list in the Windows Start menu offers another quick way to access frequently used files and folders. Add favorite files and folders to the Start menu and to the Navigation pane in Windows[more…]

Windows provides gadgets through its Desktop Gadget gallery, although you can search for more gadgets online. Gadgets are useful apps, and you'll find a collection of them on Microsoft's website.[more…]

Gadgets are little applications (such as a clock or a calendar) you can display as icons on the Windows 7 desktop. Using Windows gadgets, you can quickly check the weather, review your calendar, check[more…]

With the Clock gadget on your Windows desktop, you can easily keep track of time. The Clock gadget allows you to change clock styles and set different time zones if needed. A gadget, by the way, is a small[more…]